Rail-straightener.



B. NETAHLA, JR. RAIL STRAIGHTENER. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 18, 1910.-

Patented June 7, 1910 gmve ntoz ANDREW a. GRAHAM c0 PnoTo-umocnnwsns.wAsnmswN. m J

BENJAMIN NETAI-ILA, JR,

OF MILLIGAN, NEBRASKA.

RAIL-STRAIGHTENER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN NETAHLA, J r., citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Milligan, in the county of Fillmore and State ofNebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rail-Strai hteners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to railroad appliances or tools, and particularlyto that class of tools known as rail straighteners, wherein the same ismade light and durable, and

of such a construction that it may be easily transported from place toplace.

This invention also contemplates the construction of a rail straightenerwherein the same will be operative both in spreading and drawing therails.

With the above and other objects in view, this invention consists of theconstruction, combination and arrangement of parts all as hereinaftermore fully described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings wherein;

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a device constructed in accordance withthe present invention; Fig. 2 is a section taken along line 22 of Fig.1, eliminating the rail; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the shoe carried bythe extremity of the spanning rod.

Referring to the drawings, A indicates a tie carrying the rails Bthereon in approximately the usual spaced relation.

The rail straightener forming the subject matter of the presentinvention comprises an operating lever 10 pivoted at its lower extremityto the shoe 11 which is adapted to engage preferably the movable rail.This shoe 11 comprises a longitudinally extending member adapted to fitover the head of the rail, said shoe being provided with the ears orlugs 12 between which is pivoted the lever 10 through theinstrumentality of the transverse pin 13. The shoe is provided with adepression 14: in its upper face in which the lower terminal of thelever oscillates.

The spanning bar 15 is pivoted adjacent to the lower extremity of thelever 10 and eX- tends toward the other rail B where it engages the shoe16. This shoe is provided with a plurality of orifices 17 in which thedownwardly bent lug 18 formed at the free terminal of the spanning baris received.

A plurality of teeth 19 and 19 are formed on the upper and lower edgesof the span- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 18, 1910.

Patented June 7, 1910.

Serial No. 550,141.

ning bar respectively in such a manner that the teeth 19 are locatedcentrally with respect to the teeth 19.

A pair of latches or pawls 20 and 21 are pivoted to the lever 10 aboveand below the pivotal point of the spanning bar 15 re spectively. Thepawl 21 is pivoted in such a manner that the work arm projects to therear of the operating lever 10, thus having the fulcrum between thepower arm and the work arm. The pawl 20, however, is pivoted to thelever at the extremity thereof and consequently has both the work armand the power arm on the same side of the fulcrum.

The springs 22 are interposed between the pawls and the spanning bar 15and consequently are adapted to retain said pawls normally in contactwith the teeth.

A plurality of rods 23 and 24 are secured to the latches 20 and 21respectively, the rod 24 being connected to the projecting portion ofthe'lever 21, while the rod 23 is connected between the catch portion ofthe pawl 20 and the fulcrum thereof. The upper terminals of the rod areconnected to the handles or levers 25 in such a manner that uponexerting a pressure upon said handles, the pawls will be disengaged fromthe teeth.

It will be noted from the foregoin that, when it is desired to spreadthe rails, the pawl 20 is raised from contact with the teeth and apressure exerted on the lever 10 toward the opposite rail B. Thismovement will move the rail to which the shoe 11 is attached from theopposite rail. During this operation, the pawl will drop into thesuccessive teeth and prevent the rails from springing back into theiroriginal positions upon removing the pressure from the lever 10.However, if it is desired to draw the rails together, the pawl 21 isremoved from contact with the teeth and a pressure exerted in theopposite direction on the lever 10, consequently moving the rail towhich the shoe 11 is attached toward the opposite rail, the pawldropping into the successive teeth and preventing the springing back, asheretofore described.

Having thus fully described my invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination with a spanningbar, of a lever pivoted to one extremity of said spannmg bar, shoescarried by the lower extremity of said lever and at the free terminal ofsaid spanning bar, and means whereby said spanning bar may operate ineither direction and be retained from springing back.

2. In a device of the class deseribech the combination with a spanningbar, a shoe detachably secured at one terminal of said spanning bar, alever pivotally connected at the other extremity of said bar, a shoepivoted to the lower extremity of said lever, and a series of oppositelydisposed pawls adapted to cooperate with said spanning bar.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination with a spanningbar, a lever pivoted to one extremity of said rod, means whereby saidbar and lever may engage the rails, and pawls above and below said barand pivoted to said lever adapted to cooperate with said bar in spacingsaid rails.

t. In a device of the class set forth, the combination with aspanningbar provided with a plurality of teeth, a lever pivoted to one extremityof said spanning bar, means whereby said lever and spanning bar engagethe rails,- and spring operated pawls above and below said bar adaptedto cooperate with said teeth and retain the rails in spaced relationafter the same are operated on by the spanning bar.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

C. SMRHA, AGNES SMRI-IA.

